By Spy Uganda
During a visit by Burkina Faso’s foreign minister, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi praised African countries for opposing “colonialism.”
Burkina Faso and Mali are currently ruled by military juntas that have cut military connections with France, a former colonial power, while strengthening ties with Russia.
Niger, where a military junta took power in July, has seen widespread rallies calling for former colonial master France’s troops to leave.
Raisi “praised the resistance of African countries in the face of colonialism and terrorism” during a meeting with Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Olivia Rouamba on Monday, without naming France directly.
According to a statement posted on the Iranian presidency’s website, he praised their attitude as a “sign of vigilance and awakening.”
Burkina Faso experienced two military coups in 2022, and the ruling junta then demanded that French forces leave the nation.
Raisi highlighted Iran’s desire to “share its experiences and achievements with friendly African countries” during the meeting with Rouamba.
According to the Iranian presidency statement, Rouamba also expressed willingness in strengthening bilateral relations with Iran.
Iran has been strengthening links across the African continent in an effort to minimize its isolation and mitigate the impact of crushing sanctions reimposed after the United States’ exit from a painstakingly negotiated nuclear deal in 2018.
In July, Raisi set out on a rare Africa tour that took him to Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
